July 15, 2012
THE MAIN EVENT
On a hot summer afternoon, in the posh Castilian Room at The Hotel Hershey, Quita Perry exchanged vows with her groom, Donald Thomas. Quita’s chic veil and Stephan Jolie gown, with its beaded edge and cloud of organza ruffles, were stunning. Despite her sparkly slingbacks, she stood a full foot shorter than Donald. But that was to be expected. Known by the rest of the world as #64, Donald is an offensive lineman for the New England Patriots. His smart Calvin Klein suit, custom bow tie, and cognac shoes set off his athletic physique with flair.
THE RELATIONSHIP
When your job’s timetable is non-negotiable, you schedule everything else around it. So Donald proposed during the NFL lockout in July 2011, and was able to fit the wedding in just before this year’s training camp. The honeymoon? Not until the season is over, when they’ll head to Hawaii. Donald describes Quita as “kind of dainty and very detail-oriented and a neat freak” and himself as “kind of the opposite,” adding that she is “kind of everything I’m not. She completes me.” During the ceremony, Quita and Donald combined black and white sand, signifying their oneness.
THE DETAILS
Alight with chandeliers, candles and glittering crystals, it was a “midnight, platinum and diamond affair.” Sheer, sequined table runners held a ribbon of florals and candles. Cocktails were passed in the Moor-inspired Fountain Lobby and a monogrammed ice luge channeled the signature drink, a midnight blue martini called Blue Lagoon. The couple’s young son, Deegan, was pulled down the aisle in a red wagon following some separation anxiety. Florals were sensual, with submerged green cymbidium orchids and pink mini callas. Crystals studded Quita’s bouquet. Bridesmaids wore midnight blue with silver strappies and signed the bride’s Jimmy Choos—for good luck. Extras included a cigar rolling station (Donald smokes them after a big win on the gridiron), a Hershey’s ice cream bar, and a photo booth. The cuisine was exquisite, featuring crab-encrusted halibut with lobster sauce and a braised duck ravioli with a decadent chocolate bourbon sauce. The tailored cake was vanilla-strawberry renaissance and red velvet.
THE RINGS
NFL rules prohibit rings, but that didn’t stop Donald from designing Quita’s ring, an elaborate swirl of diamonds. He also designed his own, which due to a broken finger—a hazard of the game—comes with a custom clasp.
Vendors
THE THREADS
Bride: Stephan Jolie gown from Bijou Bridal, Ardmore (bijoubridal.com); Bridesmaids: Alfred Sung from Taylored for You, Mechanicsburg (tayloredforyoubridal.com); Groom & Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse (menswearhouse.com); Groom’s tie: custom made by Marc Allen Fine Clothiers, Providence, RI (marcalleninc.com); Mother of the Bride: Creative Elegance Boutique, Camp Hill (creativeeleganceboutique.com)
THE BLING
Makeup: Mykel Tindell, Tindell’s Hair Spa (717-909-0270); Rings: custom-designed by the groom with the assistance of Michael Martelli of Radical Enterprises (954-734-4954), created by jeweler Elliot Delshad; Other jewelry by Sophel Creations, (sophel.com); Hair combs from Sabrina Ann’s, Ardmore (sabrinaann.com)
THE CEREMONY & RECEPTION
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey (thehotelhershey.com)
THE PLANNER
Wedding Day Coordinator: Lori Hemphill, The Perfect Plan, Lancaster (theperfectplanbylh.com)
THE TUNES
Harpist: Season’s Music, Harrisburg (seasonsmusic.com); Pianist: Ralph Diekemper, Harrisburg (diekemper.com); DJ: Titus Touch Music, York (titustouchmusic.com)
THE STATIONERY
Vera Wang from William Arthur (williamarthur.com/shop/vera-wang), printed by Invitations by Chrissy, Lancaster (invitationsbychrissy.com)
THE BLOOMS
Kelly Steadman, All Things Beautiful, Lancaster (urpro.com)
THE IMAGES
Photography: Leslie Gilbert, Mount Joy (lesliegilbertphotography.com); Photo Booth: Jason Thompson Photography, New Cumberland (jasonthompsonphotography.com)
THE SMOKES
Hains Pipe Shop, York (717-843-2237)
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